Getting Inspired to Reach Higher Heights!

Friday October 20th, 2017

WASHINGTON, DC – The Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) hosted a screening of the Dominican film La Montaña (The Mountain) yesterday evening in its DC office for a special edition of the Dominican Film Showcase in the U.S. capital.

At 5:00 p.m., people began to filter in and partake in light refreshments provided by GFDD. After everyone had arrived and taken their seats, the attendees were able to relax and enjoy a film which contrasts the highest mountain in the world and the low lands of the Caribbean to inspire audiences to strive for their goals, no matter how high they may seem.

Following the screening, Semiramis de Miranda, GFDD’s acting Co-Executive Director, and Maria Victoria Abreu, GFDD’s International Affairs and Socioeconomic Development Program Manager, who also gave the welcoming remarks, introduced a brief video with a message from Karim Mella, the renowned Dominican mountaineer and one of the film’s protagonists. In his message, Mella, standing at the Pico Duarte summit, thanked the GFDD-DC audience and invited them to share with others the memorable inspiration, effort, and sacrifice expressed in the movie.

After the night’s principal activities had concluded, GFDD staff members and event attendees informally shared their thoughts about the film and took advantage of the opportunity to network with each other.

About La Montaña:
Directed by Tabaré Blanchard and Iván Herrera, with music and narration by Pavel Núñez and under the executive production of Marco Herrera and Laura Castellanos, La Montaña is the true story of the first Dominican expedition to reach the top of Mount Everest in 2011. With beautiful images, powerful music, and inspiring achievements, the film contrasts the highest mountain in the world with the low lands of the Caribbean, as the three climbers, Iván Gómez, Karim Mella and Federico Jovine, take on the treacherous track to the peak. At the same time, three Dominican children, sons of fishermen, start their own challenge in climbing the highest mountain on the island, Pico Duarte. Two parallel stories that remind us that from the sea to the sky, everyone has a dream; a mountain to climb.

About the Dominican Film Showcase:
The presence of the vibrant and dynamic Dominican community is well acknowledged in cities across the United States. Dominican culture, music, and traditions are quickly becoming household references but the country’s film industry remains relatively unknown. Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) aims to change that by showcasing a sample of the best films produced recently in the Dominican Republic, by Dominican filmmakers, about Dominican topics. The Dominican Film Showcase presents, shares, and celebrates the stories, characters and history of the Dominican Republic with an international audience.

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